WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it can be a topic many people struggle to even talk about, no matter how old you are.
Mika Collins, 21, started coding as a hobby, and it ended up taking up more time than her actual homework. That hobby led her to become UNCW’s first graduate from the software engineering program.
But being first didn’t come easy.
“I’ve really had to struggle and figure out how to prioritize my time—and myself—without sacrificing my academics,” Collins said.
Mental health concerns rising among college students
Finding that balance can weigh heavily on students like Collins. A new report shows more than six in 10 college students and young adults say they’ve experienced a mental health or behavioral health concern in the past year.
“Some of the most common concerns they’re feeling are things like anxiety, depression, and stress,” said Dr. Abbie Miller with UnitedHealthcare.
Miller said it can stem from big life changes—academic pressure, money stress, and moving away from home for the first time.
The report also found a generational disconnect between students and older adults when it comes to talking about mental health.
“Unfortunately, those conversations can feel more like a quick check-in, rather than a true, meaningful talk about what’s really going on in that young person’s life,” Miller said.
Listening makes the difference
Miller said the conversations that make the biggest difference are the ones where people focus on listening, not trying to fix the problem.
Finding that helpful outlet is something Collins knows all too well. That’s why she reached out for therapy on campus.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have a conversation or to admit that you’re struggling… struggling is just a part of growing,” Collins said.
Collins said those conversations allowed her to get to where she is now.
“That’s kinda what keeps me going—solving those challenging problems,” she said.
Collins said reaching out isn’t a weakness, and it’s never too late to be “the first,” even if that just means being the first to ask for help.